Circular knitting machine



Dec; 10,1946.

H. H. HOLMES ET AL CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1944 l I r 2239 '/2 n Ell Attorney.

Dec. 10, 1946.' H. H. HOLMES ETAL 7 7 CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE FiledJan. 3, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 2 1946- H. H. HOLMES ET AL CIRCULAR KNITTINGMACHINE Filed Jan. 3, "1944 5 sheets-sheet s mwQ In e tors, .7

A ttorney Patented Dec. 10, 1946 CIRCULAR KNITTING BIACHIN E HenryHarold Holmes and Alfred Percy Saunders, Leicester, England, assignorsto Wildt and Company Limited, Leicester, England, a British companyApplication January 3, 1944, Serial No. 516,790 In Great Britain January8, 1943' 18 Claims.

This invention relates to cir ular knitting machines and concerns thoseof the characteristic type including double axially opposed needlecylinders'and especially such as are furnished with double-ended needlesoperable by means of sliders, with which, and the purposes for whichthey are employed, those familiar with the art are now well acquainted.

The present invention is applicable primarily to machines of thecharacteristic type concerned which are additionally equipped withinstruments adapted to co-operate with the needles in stitch or loopformation or variations thereof and which, by reason of their closeproximity to the needles, restrict the space available within thecylinders for the provision of verges or knocking-over bits designed tofacilitate knitting by needles upon which rib or purl stitches areproduced. Such instruments may, for example, consist of individuallyoperable thread guides for feeding patterning or ornamental threads toappropriate needles as in the production of lap or Wrap stitch or loopeffects on independent needles singly (single wrap effects) or on aplurality of adjoining needles (multi-wrap effects). Other instrumentsmay consist of stitch or loop transferring elements, e. g. pelerineinstruments for producing open or lace effects, and, in some cases,instruments of both kinds may be furnished in the same machine forproducing combinations of such effects. I The object of the presentinvention is to provide improved means for facilitating knitting by theneedles required to produce rib or purl stitches having regard to therestricted space available by reason of the presence of instruments suchas those aforesaid either alone or in combination with others.

The point or points at which the instruments function for their intendedpurpose is or are usually removed from the knitting location, or is orare between locations in a multi-feed machine, and therefore it isessential to construct and arrange means to facilitate knitting asaforesaid, suchwise as to be capable of co-operating with theappropriate needles at the knitting location or locations but nototherwise.

Accordingly the present invention has in view the provision of means ofa simple and compact form adapted for location in proximity to the hooksof the knitting needles for holding down the old loops or stitchesformed by the appropriate needles while the same needles draw the yarnfor and knock over the succeeding new loops or stitches, such meansbeing advantageous- 1y employed in the production of broad rib or purlfabrics.

A particular illustrative embodiment of the invention as applied to acircular knitting machine of the superimposed rotary needle cylindertype, in combination with patterning mechanism of the general formdescribed in the specification of United States Letters Patent Nor2,065,469 will now be described, by wayof exam ple, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of so much of the said machine asis necessary to illustrate the application of the invention thereto,

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the needle circle and thelay-out both of the lap or wrap thread guides and the holding-down bitsor web holders employed to facilitate knitting by needles in the topcylinder of the machine,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the plate or disc fitted with cam sectionsfor controlling the said holding-down bits or web holders,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of the same taken on the lineIV--IV in Figure 3,

Figure 5 is an underside view of the cam plate or disc as seen in thedirection of the arrow A in Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a further transverse sectional view taken on the line VIVIof Figure Figure '7 is a detail plan view illustrating connections, seenin the direction of the arrowB in Figure l, for rendering the movablecam sec tion inoperative during reciprocatory knitting as will behereinafter described,

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation drawn to an enlarged scale ofportions of the opposing ends of the needle cyli'nders-showing a few ofthe needles, the fabric and the holdingdown bits or web holders as theyappear during the production of rib or purl stitches,

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail perspective view depicting a holding-downbit or web holder in its projected position to facilitate knitting bythe adjacent rib needle, and

Figure 10 is a somewhat similar perspective View showing the said bit orweb holder in its fully retracted, i. e. inoperative, position.

Like parts are designated by similar reference characters throughout thedrawings.

In Figure 1, the bottom or plain needle cylinder and the superimposedtop or rib needle cylinder are designated by the reference numerals Iand 2 respectively. One of the double-ended needles is indicated at 3and, as will be seen, this is operable by means of sliders ofconventional the numeral 5 indicates the customary bottom sinkers whichare arranged in a so-called sinker brass 6 associated with the cylinderI r The machine, in this particular example, is equipped with verticallap or wrap striping mechanism wherein blade-like thread guides orfeeders I with angular thread guiding ends 1a are arranged substantiallyaxially of the needle cylinders l and 2 in a cylindrical bed 8 arrangedconcentrically within the topcylinder, and the threads are guided frombobbins not shown) on a carrier 9 above the top plate In of the machinethrough a nest of tubes H within a sleeve l2 which supports the bed forthe guides. In this machine the guides l are movable radially from theinside to the outside of the needle 'cir'- cle NC (Figure 2) andthereupon deflected laterally for wrapping the thread around singleneedles, or two or more successive needles to produce multi-wrapeffects; the guides are then restored to their original positions, allof these movements and the meansby which they are efiected beinfullydescribed in the prior specification aforesaid. In Figure I 2, thepoint at which the'lap or wrap thread guides! are projected for wrappingpurposes is indicated at P, this point being removed some distance fromthe rib or purl knitting location KL. In Figure 2,1moreover, plainneedles 3-and rib needles 3 are'alternately arranged in a l x l ri-bset-out.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a flat dial 13 ofannular form provided withflan annular flange l3a and having a radiallytricked surface l3b in which straight holdingdown bits or web holders l4each with a butt Ma on one'edge are slidably mounted. The said flangehas apertures l3c therein to permit passage of the aforesaid threads totheir guides or feeders.

|3d into and held within the cylindrical bed 8 for the thread guides '1so that the dial I3 is disposed horizontally in'an inverted position, i.e. with its tricked surface downwards, all as clearly shown in Figure-1;The holding-down bits or elements M are inserted into the tricks 15,butts downwards, and are thus movable radially in a horizontal plane, i;'e'. at rightangles to the axis of the needle cylinders l and 2. Thecomplete device, therefore, is concentric with the needle cylinders andrevolves therewith. The controlling means comprise'a cam C (Figure 3)consisting of a mainly annular outer section IS with an inner recess 15aand a partly annular inner section lfifcompleted by a movable section I?form such as that shown at 4. In the drawings pillars or posts'such as22 fixed in the top plate Ill. The cross arms are shown more clearly inFigure '7. The cam plate I8 is fixed with the projecting portion g ofthe groove or track'g at volves the bits or web holders l4 therein are,by

reason of the travel of their butts Ma in the cam groove or track movedoutwards seriatirn at the knitting location KL so that the tip ofeach'is projected radially between adjacent needles '3 in the topcylinder 2 (see Figure 8).. But im mediately after projection in thisway the bits or web holders are retracted and remain in thisposition-while the butts Ma travel around the The annular flange l3a isspigoted at with a nose or projection Ha to correspond with the'recess15a, these'sections being mounted on a-circular plate or disc I 8 withacentral bored boss l9 suchwise that when the movable section I! isin'the normal (operative) position a groove or track-g is formed for thebutts Ma which groove or track 'is mainly concentric with the plate ordisc but as regards the remainder extends first obliquely outwards, thenin the circumferconcentric portion of the cam groove or track g.

The bits or web holders are fully retracted by the time they pass thepoint P (Figure 2) and are not'projected again until they have travellednearly'full circle and reached the location KL. The tube 20 has abifurcated lever .23 keyed thereon, near its upper extremity, and thespaced end portions 23a of this lever carry adjusting screws 24 arrangedat opposite sides of a lug;2 5 on one of the cross arms 2|. The screws24 may, if desired, be furnished, with knurled wheels 26 or the like forrotating them so as to enable the cam C to be accurately set in therequired position. A knurled wheel 21 is screwed onv the tube 20 toretain thelever 23 thereon; and to maintain the camring l8 attherequired height.-

As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the movable section II of the cam isformed with a small disc 28 having a cylindrical projection 29 by means.

of which it is pivotally mounted in the cam plate 58 so as to enable thesaid section to be rendered inoperative for reciprocatory knittingthereby enabling all of the bitsror web holders l l'to be retained inthe retracted position to clear the slack yarn. A bit or .web holder insuchposition is shown in Figure 10. The sectionis positively held in-itsnormal, i. e. out, position during circular upper end and from thecentral boss l9 atthe lower'end, has a forked lever 33' pinned on itslower end for engagement with a pin St in the profile cam ring 30 At theupper. end the rod 32 is connected with the timing mechanism 'of themachine by means of intermediate connections of any conventional formwhereby the profile cam ring is held-with the movable cam section I! inthe operative position shown in Figure 3. In the specific exampleillustratedin Figures 1 and '7 a lever 35, which is fixed by a cotterpin 36 to the upper projecting end of the rod 32,

is connected by means of a link 31 to one arm 38a of a bell crank 38 theother arm 38b of which latter is adapted forconnection with the timingmechanism. When a change is made from circular knitting to reciprocatoryknitting the rod 32 is turned as the result of the action of the timingmechanism so that the profile cam 30 is operated to release the movablecam section- I! which thereupon, under the action of the butts I ia onthe bits or web holders I4, is turned to the inoperative position.provided in associationwith the section II to assist this movement. Uponreversion to circular If desired, a spring 'may be knitting the timingmechanismfunctions to turn the rod 32 in the opposite direction, therebypositively restoring the cam section 11 to its normal position. In amachine having two or more feeders, duplicate or more cam formations toeffect projection of the bits or web holders at the appropriatelocations will be provided. As will be understood, with an arrangementof the character herein described the lower edges of the bits or webholders [4 are the holdingdown edges when the device is in use. Thiswill be made clearer in the description of Figure 8 wherein the fabric 1is shown in relation to rib needles 3 which are being retracted to knockover rib loops. The fabric is normally pulled in a downward directionover the sinker brass 6, and when the rib needles are in the course ofbeing retracted to take the knitting yarn y, as indicated at R, thefabric rests on the said sinker brass. At this stage, the correspondingbit or web holder M is fully projected so as to be in readiness over thefabric. At R, moreover, the rib needle latchl is open and an old loop 01is around the stem of the needle. The needle at R has been still furtherretracted and is in the course of casting off the old loop 01; as aresult. of this retraction the said needle commences to raise the fabricIhe needles at R and R are fully retracted, having knocked over the oldloops 02 and drawn newloops nl through them. As the needles move toknocking-over position they raise the fabric into contact with the loweredges of the appropriate projected bits or web holders M which latterthereupon serve to hold down the fabric sufficiently to permit ofsatisfactory rib knitting. A retracted rib needle and a fully advancedbit or web holder co-operating therewith are depicted in detail inFigure 9.

In a machine furnished with patterning mechanism of the kindhereinbefore mentioned the bobbin carrier 9 is fixed on another tube 39rotatably mounted, exteriorly, on the tube 20 which carries the improveddevice, and below the bobbin carrier a thread guiding cage 40 or likepart is rigidly attached to the same tube.

What we claim then is:

1. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, asecond needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentionedcylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, slidersin the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same to betransferred from one cylinder to the other as occasion demands, means ata knitting location for operating the said sliders to causecorresponding needles to knit a yarn, instruments adapted to co-operatewith the needles in loop formation at a point removed from said knittinglocation, movable elements for holding down the old loops formed byneedles upon which rib stitches are produced while the same needles drawyarn for and knock over the succeeding new loops, and means for socontrolling the said movable holding down elements that the latter aremoved to a position in proximity to the hooks of the knitting needles atthe knitting location for the purpose stated and are then moved to andmaintained in such a position as to avoid the instruments at theaforesaid point.

2. In a circular-knitting machine, in combina-'- tion, a needlecylinder, a second needle cylinder axially opposed to the .said firstmentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in saidcylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating to knit a yarn,'instruments'adapted-to co-operate with the needles in loop formation ata :p'oint removed from said knitting location, a device consisting of adial having a flat "radially grooved surface, with a series ofindependently slidable holding-down bits in the grooves for arrangementsuchwise that said holding-down bits can be moved radially in a plane atright angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, and means forcontrolling the said bits so that they are projected seriatim toco-operate with the needles which produce ribstitches at the knittinglocation and,.after such co-operation, are withdrawn to and maintainedin a retracted position to avoid the aforesaid instruments until againprojected at the said knitting location, and so on.

3. In a circular knitting machine,'in combination, a needle cylinder, 3,second needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentionedcylinder, double-ended needles for operation .in said cylinders, slidersin the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same .to betransferred from one cylinder to the other as occasion de mands,instruments additional to and .for co-operation with the needles, adevice consisting of a dial, holding-down bits in said dial, and meansfor co controlling the holding-down bits that they are retractedseriatim where the additional instruments are operative, and projectedseriatim where the said instruments are inoperative.

' 4. A combination according to claim 2, wherein the device andassociated controlling means are fitted within the confines of theneedle cylinders so that the tips of the holding-down bits can beprojected seriatim between the opposing ends of the cylinders andbetween appropriate needles at the rib knitting location, and, asregards the remainder of the needle circle, can be retracted to aninoperative position within the circle.

5. In .a circular knitting machine, in combine. tion, a needle cylinder,a second needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentionedcylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said. cylinders, slidersin the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same to betransferred from one cylinder to the other as'occasion demands, means ata knitting-locationfor operating the said sliders to cause correspondingneedles to knit a yarn, instrumentsadapted to co-operate with theneedles in loop formation at a point removed from said knittinglocation, a device consisting of a dial having a fiat radially groovedsurface, with a series of independently slidable holding-down bitsformed with butts, said bits being arranged in the grooves in the dialsuchwise as to be movable radially in a plane at right angles to theaxis of the needle cylinders, and means for controlling the said bits sothat they are projected seriatim to co-operate with the needles whichproduce rib stitches at'the knitting location and, after suchco-operation, are withdrawn to and maintainedzin a retracted position toavoid the aforesaid instruments until again projected at the saidknitting location, and

so on. i

6. In a circular knitting machine, .in combina-. tion, a rotary needlecylinder, a second rotary needle cylinder axially opposed to the saidfirst mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for op eration in saidcylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating the needles andenabling same' toi'be transferred from one cylinder to the other-as oc-'casion demands, means at a knitting location for operating the saidsliders to cause corresponding needles to knit a yarn, instrumentsadapted to coo'peratewith'the needles in loopformation at 7 cylinders,sliders in the cylinders for operating a point removed from saidknitting location, a dial which has a flat radially grooved surface andis mounted to revolve with the cylinders, a series of independentlyslidable holding-down bits formed with butts, said bits being arrangedin .the grooves in the dial suchwise as to be movable radially in aplane at right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, and means forcontrolling the said bits so that they are projected seriatim toco-operate with the needles which produce rib stitches at the knittinglocation and, after such col-operation, are withdrawn to and "maintainedin'a retracted position to avoid the aforesaid instruments untilagainrojected at the said knitting location, and so on. I

7. In a circular knitting machine, in combina .tion, 'a needle cylinder,a second needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentionedcylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, slidersin the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same to betransferred from onecylinder to the other as occasion demands,1means ata knitting location for operating the said sliders to causecorresponding needles to knit ayarn, instruments adapted to co-operatewith the needles in loop formation at a point removed from said knittinglocation, a device consisting of a dial having a fiat radially groovedsurface, with a series of independently slidable holding-down bitsformed with butts, said bits being arranged in the grooves in the dialsuchwise as to be movable radially in plane at right angles to the axisof the needle cylinders, means for controlling the said bits so thatthey are projected seriatim to co-operate with the needles which producerib stitches at the knitting location and, after such co-operation, arewithdrawn to and maintained in a retracted position to avoid theaforesaid instruments until againlprojected at the said knittinglocation, and so on,

and an adjustment whereby the said means are fixed and can be turned andset in proper 'relationship to the knitting location.

8. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, asecond needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentionedcylinder, double-ended needles for operationin said cylinders, slidersin the cylindersfor operating the needles and enabling same to betransferred from one cylinder to the other as occasion demands, means ata knittinglocation for operating the said sliders to cause correspondingneedles to knit a'yarn, instruments additional to and adapted toco-operate with the needles in loop forma- 1 tion at a point removedfromsaid knitting location, a carrier for said additional instruments, a

dial which is attached to the said carrier and has aflat radiallygrooved surface, a series 'of inde pendently slidable holding-down bitsin the grooves in the dial for movement radially in a plane at rightangles to the axis of the needle cylinders, and means for controllingthe said bits so that they are projected seriatim to co-operate with theneedles which produce rib stitches at the knitting location and, aftersuch co-operation, are'withdrawn'to and maintained ina retractedposition to avoid the aforesaid instruments until the needles andenabling same to be transferred from one cylinder to the other asoccasiondemands, means at a knitting location for operating the saidsliders to cause corresponding needles to knit a yarn, instrumentsadapted to co-operate with the needles inloop formation at a pointremoved from said knitting location, a device consisting of a dialhaving a flat radially grooved surface, with a series of independentlyslidable holding-down bits formed with butts, said bits being; arrangedin the grooves in the dial suchwise as to be movable radially in a planeat, right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, meansfor'controlling' the said bits so that they are projected seriatim toco-operate with the needles which produce rib stitches'at the knittinglocation and, after such co-operation, are withdrawn to and maintainedin a retracted position toavoid the aforesaid instruments until againprojected at the said knitting location,-and so on, an adjustment wherethe said means are fixed and can enabling same to be transferred fromone 0171-,

inder to the other as occasion demands, means at a knitting location foroperating the said sliders to cause corresponding needles to knit ayarn, instruments adapted to co-operate with the needles in loopformation at a point removed from said knitting location, a deviceconsisting of a dial having a flat radially grooved surface, with aseries of independently slidable holding-down bits in the grooves forarrangement suchwise that said holding-down bits can be moved radiallyin a plane at right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, meansfor controlling the said bits so that they are projected'seriatim tocooperate with the needles which produce rib stitches at the knittinglocation and, after such co-operation; are withdrawn to and maintainedin aretracted position to avoid the aforesaid instruments until againprojected at the said knitting location, and. f so on, and means forrendering the controlling" means inactivaso far as the projection of theholding down bits is concerned, during reciprocatory knitting, so thatthe bits are completely retracted, for the purpose herein described. 1

11. In a circular single feed knittingmachine adapted to operate forboth circular knitting and reciprocatory knitting, in combination, aneedle cylinder, a second needle cylinder axially opposed to the saidfirst mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in saidcylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operatingthe needles and en--abling same to be transferred fromone cylinder to the other as occasiondemands, means'at a knitting location for operating the said sliders tocause corresponding needles to knit a yarn, in.

struments adapted to co-operatewiththe needles inloop formation at aPoint. removed from said saw?- knitting location, a device consisting,ofa dial ear-lea flatradially grooved Surface, with a serifles ofindependently slidable. holdingedown' bits formed with butts, said bitsbeing arranged in the grooves in the, di l 'ucnwi'se as to beinov'ableradially in a plane atright. angles to the axis of the needle cylinders,means for controlling the said bits so that they are projected seriatimto co-operate with/the needles which produce rib s'titc'hfe 'at theknitting location and, after such c'drope'ration, are withdrawn to andmaintained in a retracted position to avoid he aforesaid instrumentsuntil again projected at the saidknitn location, andso on, a part ofsaid means beingarranged formovement to. and from an op erative positionso that said part can be rendered inactive and the bits can thereby becompletely retracted to provide clearance for slack yarn, duringreciprocato'ry knitting, timing mechanism nder the control of which themovable means are moved, and intermediate connections between, said chsm a d h a part.

.2: In a circular knittingmach'ine, in combination, a, needle cylinder,a second needle cylinder axially oppgsed to, the'said, first mentionedcylinder,'double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, slidersin the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same to betransferred from one cylinder to the other as occasion demands, means ata knitting location for operating the said sliders to causecorresponding needles to knit a yarn, instruments adapted to co-operatewith the needles in loop formation at a point removed from said knittinglocation, a device consisting of a dial having a flat radially groovedsuriace, with a series of independently slidable holding-down bitsformed'with' butts, said bits being arranged in the grooves in the dialsuchwise as to be movable radially, in a plane at right angles to theaxis of the needle cylinders, means for controlling the said bits sothat they are projected seriatim to co-operate with the needles whichproduce rib stitches at the knittinglocationan'd, after suchco-operation, are withdrawn to and maintained in a retracted'position toavoid the aforesaid instruments u'ntil again projected at the saidknittinglocation, and Q an stment whe by t s d m s are fixed and can beturned and set in proper relationship to the knitting location, atubular memher on which the said means are mounted, said memberextending axiall'y'through the cylinder in which needles operate forrib; knitting and being connected exteriorly with the aforesaid adjustment, apart of the aforesaid means being are rangedfor movement'toandfrom an operative position, a rod extending through the tubular memberfor, controlling the movable part, timing mechanism, and connectionsbetween said mechanism and the rod whereby the latter is operated towithdraw the movable part so that the bits can be completely retractedwhen a change is made from circular knitting to reciprocatory knitting.

13. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a rotary needlecylinder, a second rotary needle cylinder axially opposed to the saidfirst mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in saidcylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating the needles andenabling same to be transferred from one cylinder to the other asoccasion demands, instruments additional to and for co-operation withthe needles, a carrier for said instruments, a flat dial which has aradially tricked surface and is attached to the aforesaid carrier in aninverted position with its tricked surface downwards, straightholding=down bits in v the grooves in medial; eac ofs'aidb'ts having abutt onon'e edge; and'a eamrbr, action uponisa dj b-uttsftjo mm theholdingedoyvn bits, said ca consisting of sections which provide agroove for the butts; and a circu ar plate whiqh c r e he art ct ons uis xed It m pn ri ie t; bi'eleu and'coricentrically with the, dial, thecam servin D 9 0011111701; n? l fi il flo bits tllafi e a retracted.seriatim where. the additional-inst Illenfhs are operative," andprojected seria W er e said ns rumeni fa e inolqi i I6 hepurpose' her mdescribed.

'f 14. In acircular knitting machine, in (zombi nation, a rotary. needlecylinder; at second; rotary eeed 'eic nqerj x a ly o po e o e S r t menioned l n r d ubl n ed ee l o OP tati n in, Said cy ind rs; s d rs n h ld r for operating the needles and enabling same to be transferred fromone cylinder, to the other as, occasion demands, instruments. additionalto. and. for cQ-operation withth'ene'e'dles', a carrier for saidinstruments, a flat. dial which has a radially tricked surface and isattached to. the aforesaid carrier'in an'inverted position withits'trick'ed surface downwards, straight hol'ding do'wn bitsfin hgroovein media a h or said bits fi iifi 'a u (in one BQ TBM Q a cam q M1 ee' ii ltts to control. h he i dw bits, an cam, consisting of amainl'yannular'outer section w h n i ner r ess an a ly a u r n r g'c es qomneted b a mo a c n wi h loss.-

to c r es n wi h h re es he s fi iensbei such that when the movablesection is in the nore a etit on he g ol ve o rm'e er the u t s ma nlcon n r c w l he e d n e s but as regards the remainder extendsfirstobliquely dutwallds, then in the. circumferential direct e a hort dst n e a h bl ue y ba k 9 he ocent c o on; a ular. e whi h carries thecam sections and is fixedfcam upper m st bel w and co n rically h' he dl, the am serv n o to, control he sflewn t t h t he are etr ted a m Wtheadditional instruments are operative, and projected; seriatiin wherethe said instruments are inoperae tive, for the purpose hereindescribed, timingmechanism, and intermediate connections be; een said mchgnism a d h movab e am sec.- n where y the at r c b op ated at d sredm nfl I 1 5-1 1 a ircula k i m c ine i com nation, a rotary bottomneedle cylinder, a superim $1 rotary o need linder c m elnt, xed, bo t ma d t it n ca s stems n sso iat s t h ne d c li ders .c nded eedl s orsera aid linfder he. ers' in the cylinders ror operating the needlesand.

n nsane t e miste a ns ias der to the other as ciccasi'on'demands, ins

' Items additionaftoandfor co-operation withthe sition with its trickedsurface downwards,

straight holding-down bits in the grooves in the dial, each of said bitshaving a butt on one edge, and a cam for action upon said buttstocontrol the holding-down bits, said cam consisting of sections whichprovide a, groove for the butts, a circular plate which carries the camsections and is fixed, cam uppermost, below and concentrically with thedial, the cam serving, so to control the holding-down bits that they areretracted seriatim where the additional instruments are openslates a 1 1ativ; and projected seriatimwhere the said instrurnents are inoperative,for the purpose herein described, a tube upon which the circular plateis fixed, said tube extending upwards through the top cylindercomponent, a lever on the tube, and. adjusting screws in associationwith said lever whereby the cam can be set in the required posi-' tionin relation to the top knitting cam system.

16. In a circular knitting machine adapted to operate for both circularknitting and reciprocato'ry knitting, in combination, a rotary needlecylinder, a second rotary, needle cylinder axially straight holding-downbits inthe grooves in the dial, each of said bits having a, button oneedge, and a cam for action upon said butts to control the'holding-downbits, said cam consisting of a mainly annular outer section with aninner recess anda partly annular inner, section completed by a movablesection with a nose to correspond with the recess, the sections beingsuch that when the movable section is in the normal position the grooveso formed for the butts is mainly concentrio with the needle cylindersbut as regards the remainder extends first obliquely outwards, then inthe circumferential direction for a short distance, andthen obliquelyback to the concentric portion, a circular plate which carries the camsections and is fixed, cam uppermost, below and concentrically with thedial, the cam serving so to control the holding-down bits that they areretracted seriatim where the additional instru-l ments are operative,.and projected seriatim where the said instruments are inoperative, for.

the purpose herein described, the movable cam section being pivotallymounted in the circular plate,"means for-positively holding thesaidmovable cam section in its normal position during circular knitting,timing mechanism, and intermediate connections between said mechanismand the movable cam section whereby the latter is rendered inoperativefor reciprocatory knitting. -17. Ina circular knitting machine. adaptedto operate-{or-both circular knitting and reciprocatory knitting, incombination; a rotary bottom needle cylinder, a superimposed rotary topneedle cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders,sliders in the cylinders for operatingthe needles and enabling same tobe transferred'from'one cylinder to the other as occasion demands,-instruments additional to and for cooperation with the needles, acarrier for saidin struments, a flat dial .which' has-a radiallytricked; surface and is attached to the aforesaid'carrier' in aninverted position with its trickedsuriace downwards, straightholding-down bits in the; grooves in the dial, each of saidbitshaving a;butt on one edge, and a cam'for action upon said butts to control :theholding-down bit saidcam consisting of a mainly annular outer sectionwith an inner. recess and a partly annular inner section completed byamovable section witha' pin there-l in and a'nose to correspond with therecess, the

sections beingsuch thatrwhen the movable 'section is in the normalposition the groove soformed for the' butts is mainly concentric withthe needle cylinders but as regards theremainder extends first obliquelyoutwards, then in the circumferential direction for, a short distance,"and then obliquely backto the concentric por- :tion, a circular platewhich is 'formed with a slot, carries thecam sections and isfixed, camuppermost, below and concentrically with the dial, the cam serving so to'control the holding-;. down bits that they are retracted seriatimwhere, the additional instruments are operative, and projected seriatimwhere the said instruments are inoperative, for the purpose hereindescribed, an adjustment whereby. the positive motion cam is fixed andcan be turned and set in its proper position, a tube upon which thecircular plate is fixed, said tube extending through the top needlecylinder and being connected exteriorly, with the aforesaid adjustment,a cam ring which.

has therein a pin and is associated With the circular plate forengagement with the pin in the; movable cam sec-tion, said lastmentioned pin extending through the slot in the circular plate, a rodfitted'withi'n the tube,a lever on the rod for engagement with the pinin the cam ring,

timing mechanism, and intermediate connections between said mechanismand the rod whereby the latter is turned to render themovable camsection inoperative during reciprocatory knitting.

18. A circular'knitting machine according to claim 1'7, wherein the rodis connected with the timing mechanism of the machine by means ofintermediate connections whereby the cam'ring is normally held with themovable cam section in the operative position, the constructionandarrangement being such that (a) when a change inoperativeposition,and (b) when circular knitting is resumed thesaid section is renderedop- 3 erative again. r r

V HENRY HAROLDHOLMES.

ALFRED PERCY SAUNDERS;

